Defeating Diabetes
I have so many things going on that I want to share with
you, and I have all year to blog for you guys, so I will get to everything.
It’s such a hard decision to even know where to start though! Since diabetes is
what has really brought in the most social media attention, I decided I am
going to tell you a little bit about my story and my message to you all!
In February 2012, my world was flipped upside down by my
diabetes diagnosis. For a while, I pretended that I didn’t have diabetes,
hoping it would go away. That led to crazy blood sugars, of course, and a very
sick, grumpy, and discouraged Sierra.
In the summer, my friend asked me to compete at Miss Magic
Valley (our local pageant in Twin Falls, Idaho—the winner goes to Miss Idaho
the following summer). To compete, I needed a platform and I chose diabetes. I
was a very different, less confident girl then. I didn’t know what I wanted to
do with my platform, or how to make it happen. Needless to say, I did not win
Miss Magic Valley 2012, and that was totally okay! Life went on, and I met new
friends and learned a lot! In addition, I decided that if nothing else, I was
going to take the best care of my diabetes as possible to show others that it
was possible.
A couple months later, I competed in another pageant, and
WON! However, I competed at Miss Idaho last summer and didn’t make top 11 (out
of 18 girls). I came home, competed for Miss Magic Valley 2013, won, and have
spent the last year promoting my platform, fundraising for Children’s Miracle
Network, and trying to grow as an individual.
My platform is now Possibilities for Disabilities. My sister
and I put on sports camps for people with developmental disabilities. I found
that the reason my diabetes platform was so powerful was not because of the
disease itself, but because of my message: we all have obstacles, but we need
to know that we can overcome them, as well as use them to empower ourselves and
make an impact on those around us. The kids I work with at my camps are champs,
and this message relates to them, as well as diabetics and every other person
on the planet! I will talk more about my official platform in a future blog
post!
At Miss Idaho 2014, as most of you know, I made the decision
to wear my pump on stage while competing. That decision took me two long years
to make. When I first started competing, I was using injections rather than a
pump. I didn’t want people to see a weird-tubey-machine-thing attached to me
all the time, and could not wrap my head around having a medical device on my
body for the rest of my life.
Then, I heard about Nicole Johnson: Miss America 1999. She
wore her pump while competing at Miss America. My whole perspective changed.
The media often tells us this lie: if your appearance
deviates in any way from cover girls, movie stars, super models, etc., it is a
flaw and something is wrong with you. Well, guess what? Miss America 1999 has
an insulin pump, and it doesn’t make her any less beautiful. In fact, in my
mind, it enhances her beauty! So, a year after I was diagnosed, I got a pump.
It helped me get even better control of my diabetes, and made my life SO much
easier. Working up the confidence to compete with it was an entirely different
journey, but this summer at Miss Idaho 2014, I finally did it.
As I nervously walked out of the dressing room the first
night of competition, the first person I saw said, “What’s that? Is that an
insulin pump?”. My stomach flipped
upside down. “I shouldn’t have worn this,” I thought, “everyone is going to be
confused and wonder what I am wearing”.
But, the inquisitor happened to be McCall Salinas, the current Miss
Idaho’s Outstanding Preteen. She shared with me that she had diabetes as well,
but didn’t want a pump because of similar reasons I had had. Through out the
night, she stood backstage cheering me on. We bonded over diabetes and
pageants, and by the end of the night, she told her mom she was ready to get a
pump. It brought me to tears. The thought that I could be one person’s “Nicole
Johnson” meant more to me than I can ever put into words. Now, with the title
of Miss Idaho, I have had a million new opportunities to spread the word about
diabetes and overcoming obstacles! I am overwhelmed with hearing how many lives
have been touched by me simply wearing my pump on stage. It means so much to
me, and I hope I can touch many more during my year as Miss Idaho.
All my love,
Sierra Sandison
Miss Idaho 2014
Facebook: Miss Idaho Organization
Instagram: @missidorg @sierra_anne_nicole
Twitter: @sierra_anne93 @missidahoorg
Hashtags: #missidaho2014 #showmeyourpump
Read Around The World
Last month Miss Canyon County, Megan Wilson, was able to be a part of read around the world. "I was asked to represent the Polynesian Islands at Monroe Elementary’s Read Around The World event in Boise where students were able to experience different countries’ cultures through food and entertainment.
My favorite part of this appearance was seeing
the kids voluntarily take part in activities of all the represented countries. And my best memory was seeing everyone’s hand go up
when I asked for volunteers to come learn Tahitian dancing."
Possibilities for Disabilities: Tennis Camp 2014
Miss Magic Valley’s platform is Possibilities for Disabilities. She holds sports camps for people with developmental disabilities in order to help them build confidence, develop their talents, gain a sense of accomplishment, and form relationships with their peers.
Possibilities for Disabilities has had two basketball camps, a soccer camp, and just held their first tennis camp! The way Possibilities camps usually work is the kids and coaches (student athletes that volunteer to help with the camp) are excused from classes from the day, and spend the time learning the basic skills of the sport, as well as playing fun team building and group games through out the day. At the end of the school day, a closing ceremony is held, recognizing each of the participants for the accomplishments they have made that day. The kids return at 6 o’clock that evening, at which time they are split into teams and play a game. Parents, peers and the community come to watch and cheer them on! It is always heartwarming, and a total blast!
"Tennis camp worked a little differently. We decided not to have an evening game, but spent an awesome afternoon learning the basics of tennis and having fun while we were at it! At the beginning of the day, we split into teams and the kids came up with colors, names, mascots and team cheers. My team was the Orange Fire Squirrels, and we were up against the Green Hot Pockets! We had a few games through out the day, such as relay races and creative version of tag, where the teams got to get into their team spirit and play against each other.
My favorite part of my platform is seeing friendships form. When we first started Possibilities, it was completely about giving these kids the opportunity to participate in activities they may not otherwise get the chance to, helping them gain confidence, find something they like to do, give them something to work hard at, etc. What we didn’t expect was how the culture of the high school would be transformed.
One of the challenges these kids face is that their having a disability can become their identity. No one wants to, or should be, defined by one aspect of themselves. Every single one of them has passions; hobbies; a favorite color, movie, or animal; a unique sense of humor; goals, dreams, etc. Unfortunately, more often than not, the only thing their peers may see or know about them is their disability. On top of that, their peers may be uncomfortable with the obvious difference that exists between them, and not know how to break the ice between them to learn about what they have in common.
When Possibilities started, we realized it created a fun and inclusive environment that brought the students with disabilities together with their peers. We all got to see their personalities emerge and get to know them for who they truly are. Rather than being separated and distant from other students, the kids with disabilities are now more integrated socially in the school and the community, and that makes all the work that goes into my platform so, so worth it!”
Possibilities for Disabilities has had two basketball camps, a soccer camp, and just held their first tennis camp! The way Possibilities camps usually work is the kids and coaches (student athletes that volunteer to help with the camp) are excused from classes from the day, and spend the time learning the basic skills of the sport, as well as playing fun team building and group games through out the day. At the end of the school day, a closing ceremony is held, recognizing each of the participants for the accomplishments they have made that day. The kids return at 6 o’clock that evening, at which time they are split into teams and play a game. Parents, peers and the community come to watch and cheer them on! It is always heartwarming, and a total blast!
"Tennis camp worked a little differently. We decided not to have an evening game, but spent an awesome afternoon learning the basics of tennis and having fun while we were at it! At the beginning of the day, we split into teams and the kids came up with colors, names, mascots and team cheers. My team was the Orange Fire Squirrels, and we were up against the Green Hot Pockets! We had a few games through out the day, such as relay races and creative version of tag, where the teams got to get into their team spirit and play against each other.
My favorite part of my platform is seeing friendships form. When we first started Possibilities, it was completely about giving these kids the opportunity to participate in activities they may not otherwise get the chance to, helping them gain confidence, find something they like to do, give them something to work hard at, etc. What we didn’t expect was how the culture of the high school would be transformed.
One of the challenges these kids face is that their having a disability can become their identity. No one wants to, or should be, defined by one aspect of themselves. Every single one of them has passions; hobbies; a favorite color, movie, or animal; a unique sense of humor; goals, dreams, etc. Unfortunately, more often than not, the only thing their peers may see or know about them is their disability. On top of that, their peers may be uncomfortable with the obvious difference that exists between them, and not know how to break the ice between them to learn about what they have in common.
When Possibilities started, we realized it created a fun and inclusive environment that brought the students with disabilities together with their peers. We all got to see their personalities emerge and get to know them for who they truly are. Rather than being separated and distant from other students, the kids with disabilities are now more integrated socially in the school and the community, and that makes all the work that goes into my platform so, so worth it!”
People's Choice 2014
Want to help your favorite contestant make the top 11 for Miss Idaho? You can vote on Facebook and on the blog. The People's Choice winner will not only make top 11 but she will be able to pick her contestant number for finals night.
For more details on Facebook voting click here.
For more details on blog voting click here.
Miss Idaho 2014 Contestant Order
Alpha
1. Kimberly Ford - Dance
2. Malia Arnell - Dance
3. Kristen Tatilian - Piano
4. Ellery Andrews - Vocal
5. Megan Moore - Dance
6. Laura Haun - Drums
7. Katelyn Strobel - Piano
8. Dani Beckstrom - Vocal
9. Kalie Wright - Vocal
10. Brittany Lock - Vocal
Sigma
11. HannahSarah Davis - Harp
12. Cynthia Huntsman - Vocal
13. Marissa Walker - Vocal
14. Paige Jensen - Piano + Vocal
15. Emma Humphries - Piano
16. Morgan Hill - Dance
17. Kaitlyn Anderson - Piano
18. Carolyn Pace - Yoga
19. Sierra Sandison - Vocal
20. Megan Wilson - Dance
1. Kimberly Ford - Dance
2. Malia Arnell - Dance
3. Kristen Tatilian - Piano
4. Ellery Andrews - Vocal
5. Megan Moore - Dance
6. Laura Haun - Drums
7. Katelyn Strobel - Piano
8. Dani Beckstrom - Vocal
9. Kalie Wright - Vocal
10. Brittany Lock - Vocal
Sigma
11. HannahSarah Davis - Harp
12. Cynthia Huntsman - Vocal
13. Marissa Walker - Vocal
14. Paige Jensen - Piano + Vocal
15. Emma Humphries - Piano
16. Morgan Hill - Dance
17. Kaitlyn Anderson - Piano
18. Carolyn Pace - Yoga
19. Sierra Sandison - Vocal
20. Megan Wilson - Dance